~ ~ ~Characters~ ~ ~ There are two meanings for the word character: 1) The person in a work of fiction.character-role.mp4 2) The characteristics of a person. Antagonist and Protagonist Short stories use few characters. One character is clearly central to the story with all major events having some importance to this character - he/she is the PROTAGONIST. The opposer of the main character is called the ANTAGONIST. They are the hero/heroine and the villian; or inthe simpliest terms the "good guy" and the "bad guy".
Characteristics of a Person - Character Characteristics For a story to seem real to the reader, the characters must seem real. Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the characters themselves. Characters are convincing if they are: consistent, motivated, and life-like (resemble real people) The author may reveal a character in several ways:
a) his/her physical appearance
b) what he/she says, thinks, feels and dreams
c) what he/she does or does not do
d) what others say about him/her and how others react to him/her
Characters are... 1. Individual - round, many sided and complex personalities. 2. Developing - dynamic, many sided personalities that change, for better or worse, by the end of the story. 3. Static - Stereotype, have one or two characteristics that never change and are emphasized e.g. brilliant detective, drunk, scrooge, cruel stepmother, etc.
Life-likeness
Fictional characters do not have to be just like real human beings. There is a difference; however, they should be believable.
Characters are not free to act as they please; the author creates an illusion of freedom but haves them act to further the story.
"Life-likeness" must sometimes be sacrificed for the plot, theme, or unity of the work as a whole
Relevance
Is the character someone you can understand and relate to on some level
Characters can represent some universal quality (archetypal), or be eccentric individuals.
Characters may resemble ourselves and people we know or may represent a universal quality that exists in all of us.
Judging characters
How is this character relevant to the reader?
How does he/she contribute to the story as a whole?
Simple characters-Flat or Static
May be stereotypes, or embodiments of a single characteristic; usually play major roles only in bad fiction. Are sometimes call flat characters or stock characters.
May be one-sided characters who do not represent universal types; predictable characters.
Simple characters are often used to fulfill minor roles in the story.
They stay the same throughout the story.
Complex characters-Round or Dynamic
These are more difficult to achieve.
More life-like than simple characters.
Capable of surprising us.
Gradations of complexity may exist
Character should be unified; i.e., should not act "out of character": consistency and believability are important
Short Stories
Characters - Static vs DynamicPersonality WordsPersonality Word Flash Cards
Story Elements
Methods of Character Portrayal
Characterization
video on Characters - Static vs Dynamic and Round vs Flat
~ ~ ~Characters~ ~ ~
There are two meanings for the word character:
1) The person in a work of fiction.
2) The characteristics of a person.
Antagonist and Protagonist
Short stories use few characters. One character is clearly central to the story with all major events having some importance to this character - he/she is the PROTAGONIST. The opposer of the main character is called the ANTAGONIST. They are the hero/heroine and the villian; or inthe simpliest terms the "good guy" and the "bad guy".
Characteristics of a Person - Character Characteristics For a story to seem real to the reader, the characters must seem real. Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the characters themselves. Characters are convincing if they are: consistent, motivated, and life-like (resemble real people) The author may reveal a character in several ways:
Characters are...
1. Individual - round, many sided and complex personalities.
2. Developing - dynamic, many sided personalities that change, for better or worse, by the end of the story.
3. Static - Stereotype, have one or two characteristics that never change and are emphasized e.g. brilliant detective, drunk, scrooge, cruel stepmother, etc.
Life-likeness
Relevance
Judging characters
- How is this character relevant to the reader?
- How does he/she contribute to the story as a whole?
Simple characters-Flat or StaticComplex characters-Round or Dynamic
adapted from http://www.ci.maryville.tn.us/mhs/studyskills/compguide/LitAnaChar.htm